How far is South Lake Tahoe, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance from South Lake Tahoe, CA to Sacramento, CA is about 105 miles (169 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 84.9 miles (136.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 04m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.
-
1
Start on El Dorado Avenue
688 ft · 24 sec · El Dorado Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Oakland Avenue
1994 ft · 57 sec · Oakland Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Los Angeles Avenue
1185 ft · 35 sec · Los Angeles Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Tahoe Boulevard
2.4 mi · 5 min · Lake Tahoe Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto Emerald Bay Road
4 mi · 6 min · Emerald Bay Road
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
19 m · 1 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
1.4 km · 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50
139 m · 9 sec
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9
Merge slight left
93.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CA 160: 16th Street
1252 ft · 33 sec
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11
Turn right onto 16th Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · 16th Street
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12
Turn left onto I Street
2891 ft · 1 min · I Street
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13
Turn left onto 9th Street
22 m · 2 sec · 9th Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 50
Merge slight left
93.7 mi · 01h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving South Lake Tahoe and Sunny near Sacramento.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento?
The road trip is about 105 miles (169 km) and usually takes 02h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pollock Pines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.8 miles from South Lake Tahoe and 53.2 miles from Sacramento.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 84.9 miles (136.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:22 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.35 one way or $42.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Lake Tahoe and Sunny near Sacramento.
Stop Ideas Near Pollock Pines
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pollock Pines.
Placerville, California
Auburn
Colfax
South Lake Tahoe, California
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. Straight-line distance: 84.91 mi (136.65 km).
#1 South Lake Tahoe
City in California
| Population | 22,847 |
| Coordinates | 38.9332400, -119.9843500 |
| Altitude | 1901 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sacramento
The sixth most populous city in California and the center of the Sacramento metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,838 |
| Coordinates | 38.5815700, -121.4944000 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
End: 9th Street (-121.49442, 38.581575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 169 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.77 | $21.35 | $42.69 |
| Mid-grade | $6.07 | $22.44 | $44.89 |
| Premium | $6.24 | $23.10 | $46.20 |
| Diesel | $7.57 | $28.00 | $56.00 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in California · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.